I
have requested that Acting Attorney General
William Brown seek an independent inquiry
regarding the facts and circumstances
surrounding the creation and misplacement
of a video recording of a July, 2001 meeting
between former Deputy Director Anthony
Zarrillo (Division of Criminal Justice),
George Norcross, and his attorney in connection
with a criminal investigation that originated
by a prior administration.

Upon learning that a video tape may have
existed, my staff was directed to conduct
a full inquiry of the prior administration’s
handling of the video recording and related
matters. Notwithstanding that the staff
conducting the video recording investigation
are professional and were not involved
with the events of July 2001, my request
for an independent review will provide
assurances to the public that an impartial,
thorough, and complete inquiry was conducted
and will help preserve the integrity of
the process.

Additionally, such an independent review
will allow the Division of Criminal Justice
to avoid any appearance of impropriety
or perceived conflicts of interest. I
am prepared to provide all the resources
necessary to assist in bringing this matter
to a swift conclusion.

Acting
Attorney General William C. Brown’s
letter
of referral to Director John Kennedy
of the Office of Government Integrity
is attached to this statement.